The 2009 Genworth Financial ‘Putts for Charity’ campaign got off to a fantastic start at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club – the first week of fundraising – with over £25,000 raised for SOS Children’s Villages.

The glorious weather enjoyed all week allowed putting skills from both the competitors on the course and the public in the specially constructed green in the Tented Village to shine.

‘Putts for Charity’ teed off in style when Ross Fisher sunk a £5,000 one putt followed by Miguel Angel Jiménez, Graeme McDowell and Robert Karlsson who all made a celebrity putt in the Village during the week.

Fellow professionals made a string of one putts on course adding to the total raised. For every one putt made during the tournament week the Genworth Foundation donated £2 to SOS Children’s Villages. For every one putt made by visitors to Genworth’s specially constructed greens in the sponsor’s village, a further £1 was donated.

Martin Ring from Genworth Financial said: “Putts for Charity is a fantastic opportunity for Genworth to give back to the communities we serve as a business across Europe. SOS Children’s Villages is a hugely deserving beneficiary.”

Putts for Charity, run in association with the Tour Players Foundation, will be raising money at four further European Tour destinations during 2009, the next being The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond from July 9-12.